Russia / Strategy Media Update – 26 August 2017

Other than the DPRK shooting MLRS, a remarkably slow day after a week of destructive New Axis of Evil insanity. Harding deconstructs an exemplary piece of Russian propaganda in the Huffington Post. Multiple reports of Russian persecution of dissenters, Bastrykhin, Putin’s persecutor-in-chief, moonlighting as a poet, corruption, environmental vandalism, and bankruptcy, just another droll day in the “Russian World”.Multiple Belarus reports, including the sale of glow-in-the-dark mushrooms (of the Chernobyl variety). Russia complains to Moldova over

Multiple Belarus reports, including the sale of glow-in-the-dark mushrooms (of the Chernobyl variety). Russia complains to Moldova over request to UN to get rid of Russian garrison.

DPRK 300mm MLRS test launches: “Spokesman for US Pacific Command says two missiles failed in flight, one blew up at launch”. Newsweek on the DPRK’s starving army. Palau radars in the MSM. CNN report on Ukrainian sting against DPRK covert team propagates, but many MSM refuse to reject NYT fake news claims. Lutsenko discloses a Chinese (?) covert operator detained in a similar sting a month ago.

An essay published at Huffington Post caught my attention today. “No to Arming Ukraine”, by Jeremy Kuzmarov, is a travesty of words and electrons put to paper and screen. Huffington Post maintains his bio thusly: Jeremy Kuzmarov Historian, intellectual, political activist Jeremy Kuzmarov is J.P. Walker assistant professor of history, University of Tulsa and author of…

This is part of a strategy designed to encircle and isolate Russia, and potentially destabilize a long-standing geopolitical rival. Russian President Vladimir Putin since 2007 has advanced a vision of a multipolar world order and taken steps to consolidate a Eurasian power bloc he hopes one day might rival the United States. Mr. Putin has also aggressively pursued the building of pipelines in Central Asia and oil exploration. These measures threaten American control over the Eurasian heartland, which imperial strategists like the late-Zbigniew Brzezinski have long considered crucial to American global dominance. The hysteria surrounding Russia-Gate so far has revealed very little information about alleged collusion between Trump administration officials and the Russians or concrete evidence of Russia’s election hacking. (see “Intel Vets Challenge ‘Russia Hack’ Evidence,” Consortium News, July 24, 2017, https://consortiumnews.com/2017/07/24/intel-vets-challenge-russia-hack-evidence/)However, it has helped to fuel anti-Russian sentiment and hysteria in the United States which the foreign policy establishment is using to garner support for confrontationist policies. The American public should be better attuned to the politicized implications of Russia-Gate and oppose Mattis’ effort to arm Ukraine with lethal defensive weaponry. It is part and parcel of an imperialist grand strategy that will contribute to more human rights violations by Ukraine’s army and inevitably deepen the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and Russia fueling a new Cold War. Jeremy Kuzmarov teaches at the University of Tulsa and is author of several books including the forthcoming, The Russians are Coming Again: Cold War I as Tragedy, Cold War II as Farce, with John Marciano (Monthly Review Press, 2018).

Fourth Ambassador and seventh diplomat, overall. Coincidence? Some don’t think so. </end editorial> Jack Holmes Esquire August 24, 2017 Serving as a foreign diplomat has never been the safest business, nor has working for the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The intersection of those two gigs is even more dangerous. Russia’s ambassador to Sudan…

Like many high-ranking government officials, Alexander Bastrykin, the head of Russia’s Federal Investigative Committee, has a verified account on the social media network Vkontakte, where photos from state ceremonies are shared, along with posts about various aspects of life as one of Russia’s top cops: meeting celebrities, attending important meetings, congratulating famous public figures on things, and celebrating different holidays. It’s all very official, but Meduza has learned that Alexander Bastrykin also has a surprisingly personal presence on social media, where Russia’s Investigative Committee chief composes poetry about love and about Alexey Navalny, posting as a Polish poet named Stanislav Strunevsky. Bastrykin also manages another unverified Vkontakte account in his own name, and he apparently closely edits his own Wikipedia page.

Daghestan’s Samur Forest is now on the list of five oldest forests in Russia under threat. The list was compiled by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). According to a statement from WWF, Samur Forest is second in the list, after the area where the River Pinega meets the Northern Dvina, in the northern Arkhangelsk Oblast.…

One of Russia’s largest banks is in danger of failing. Billionaire Owners Watch Otkritie Flail as Russia Reboots Banks </end editorial> Move could be the first time the country’s ‘systemically important’ lenders has failed by: Max Seddon in Moscow Russian regulators are preparing a rescue package that would allow them to intervene to save Otkritie, the…

Estonia and NATO were keeping a close eye on preparations for the Zapad military exercise of Russia and Belarus, and expecting more transparency of the two countries. Both countries needed to respect their international obligations, Defence Minister Jüri Luik (IRL) said on Friday.

Two days ago, 24 August, was the Ukraine Independence Day. The Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Акт проголошення незалежності України, translit. Akt proholoshennya nezalezhnosti Ukrayiny) was adopted by the Ukrainian parliament on 24 August 1991.[1] The Act established Ukraine as an independent state. Komsomolskaya Pravda or kp.ru, a daily Russian tabloid (publishes overly sensational headlines), published the following propaganda schlock. In the mother…

Ukraine’s Independence Day saw no lavish celebrations in Russia. There were no fireworks but the Ukrainian holiday once again confirmed the drug-like dependence on Ukraine of Russian state and pro-government media. Traditionally, a competition was set up to pour as much negativity and impurity as possible on the neighboring country and its citizens within the concept of “we are one nation.” Almost all the fugitives, who once had Ukrainian passports, had their say. This crowd was portrayed as the right kind of “Ukrainians” whom Moscow needs, tentatively pushing to the conclusion: the ones who fight and stand for their country are the real Nazis, fascists, and right-wingers. They talked a lot about Kyiv’s dependence on financial assistance from the IMF, “wrong” association with the EU, and “terrible” visa-free travel. All this came along with the reports about the colossal prospects of a lost future with Russia – the joint production of aircraft and spacecraft and the like. Naturally, no one cared to elaborate why these projects had not been implemented before 2014. Russian observers and experts analyzed President Poroshenko’s speech at the parade, counting how many times he mentioned the word “Russia” and the phrase “evil empire.” The address by the head of the Ukrainian state stirred some serious excitement in Russia was not praised by Russian “experts.” Most of indignation was caused by the words: “The dogs may be barking, the wind blowing, while our Ukrainian caravan is on its way… We have one path – a wide Euro-Atlantic highway, leading to membership in the European Union and NATO.” This was the most popular piece in Russian news that day. There was much talk about “hunger” in Ukraine. Separately, Russia focused attention on the growth of trade turnover between Ukraine and Russia as the main “proof” of the absence of Russian invasion and the war for Donbas. The argument that this is one of the indicators of the recovery of the Ukrainian economy was not accepted. The fact that the main goods from the Russian Federation coming to Ukraine are mineral fertilizers and products of the chemical industry was not clarified, while the fact that the trade turnover in Ukraine has been growing in recent months both with the EU and with China was ignored. The Kremlin media also paid attention to Ukraine’s foreign guests at Independence Day celebrations. Russian media were full of headlines like “Parade in Ukraine taken over by the chief of Pentagon” or “NATO soldiers marched on Khreshchatyk.” Such headlines made senior citizens across Russia grab their heart pills. The striking effect is the same as from PR stories about the President of the Russian Federation. Russians are indignant. How could it be that they were promised that Russian soldiers would reach Kyiv in two hours, but now NATO troops march in Kyiv and even the “Russian friend,” the Turkish defense minister, is watching the parade with a smile on his face?! However, if one follows this primitive logic, then it appears that the Alliance has long conquered Russia because NATO soldiers – from the U.S., UK and France – not so long ago marched on Moscow’s Red Square. In 2010, German Chancellor Angela Merkel attended the parade on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory in Moscow. According to the Russian tradition, most of Russian propaganda’s attention was paid to the presence at the Kyiv celebrations of U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis (Russian journalists submissively and affectionately called him the “American Master.” It seems that they have not got over the second part of “50 Shades of Gray.” In every sentence of every report, it was emphasized that Mattis’s nickname is “Mad Dog.” But it is unclear why the negotiations in Kyiv about possible U.S. supplies of lethal aid to the Ukrainian army caused hysterics in Moscow news. This reaction of the Russian comrades is rather strange. After all, there are no Russians in Donbas, they say. So why worry so much? By the way, The thing Russian “brothers” were most enraged with was the marching of the Ukrainian military. Indeed, they showed that they are able to and will destroy the aggressor, no matter if they get weapons from NATO. Moscow’s military experts searched very carefully for flaws in the Ukrainian army – they claimed that the Ukrainian military equipment is poor and outdated, that is, not equal to Russian arms. It’s funny that all these ideas are articulated by the same figures who for several years have been calling on Russians to go to Ukraine as “volunteers on vacation” to fight in the war, while claiming that there are no Russians in Donbas once any of their “volunteers” get captured by the Ukrainian military. The aggressive neighbors may not like the Ukrainian army but, as the saying goes, it is what it is, so those who come to Ukraine with arms in their hands will definitely be killed. Roman Tsymbaliuk, Moscow

Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day from the former Soviet Union on Thursday with a military parade through central Kiev. Not only was Defence Secretary James Mattis in attendance, along with eight other foreign defence ministers, but about 230 troops from the US and seven other NATO countries also marched alongside Ukrainian soldiers. It was the first time US soldiers ever participated in Ukraine’s Independence Day parade. “We are honored to be here marching alongside other countries showing our support in Ukraine,” 1st Sgt. Clifton Fulkerson said. As US troops marched down the street, a wave of cheers and applause reportedly went through the crowd of Ukrainians on hand. But not everyone was thrilled with NATO’s involvement. “That kind of parade is not a celebration of independence, but rather a show of dependence on the US and NATO,” a pro-Russian Ukrainian politician, Vladimir Oleinik, told Russian media outlet Sputnik, which the Russian Embassy in Canada tweeted. “In the reverse, it would be difficult to imagine Poroshenko coming to celebrate the 4th of July in Washington while Ukrainian troops marched in Washington.” Two other Russian state owned media outlets, Russia Times and TASS, also uploaded videos headlining NATO’s involvement in the parade. The Russian Embassy in Washington D.C. did not immediately respond to Business Insider’s request for comment. After the parade, Mattis met with Poroshenko to discuss the possibility of supplying Ukraine with defensive weapons such as the Javelin. “Have no doubt the United States also stands with Ukraine in all things,” Mattis told reporters while standing next to Poroshenko after they met. “We support you in the face of threats to sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to international law and the international order writ large.” “We do not, and we will not, accept Russia’s seizure of the Crimea. And despite Russia’s denials, we know they are seeking to redraw international borders by force, undermining the sovereign and free nations of Europe.”

Alongside the Ukrainian troops marching down Khreshchatyk on Thursday were soldiers representing military units from 10 other countries—including the United States. The sight of a U.S. soldier with an American flag in hand marching down the center of Khreshchatyk drew a wave of applause and cheers from the Ukrainian crowds that lined the way. Active-duty Ukrainian soldiers and veterans in military uniforms crowded the barricades with their smartphones held high, taking photos and videos of the passing stars and stripes. The scene highlighted the esteem of U.S. support in the eyes of many Ukrainians.

“Parade of Arms” on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of Independence of Ukraine President took part in the solemn event “Parade of Troops” on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of Independence of Ukraine.Independence Day of Ukraine President, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko took a solemn parade, which took place along the main street of Kyiv. Divisions of various types and types of troops of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard held a solemn march on Khreshchatyk. This year a parade was also attended by Chiefs of Defense and Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, Georgia, Estonia, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania and the United States. During the celebrations Ukrainian President presented the Order “Golden Star” with the title Hero of Ukraine Lieutenant Vasily Tarasyuk and relatives of the deceased Captain Eugene tickling. Then the President of Ukraine awarded nine battle flags commanders – 24th separate mechanized brigade of King Danylo 72nd separate mechanized brigade named Black Cossacks, the first single tank brigade “Siver” 16th separate brigade of the Army Brody Aviation, 1st Brigade of Operational Destination of the National Guard of Ukraine named after. Peter Doroshenko, the Military Institute of Armored Forces National Technical University ‘Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute “, the Eastern Regional Directorate of State Border Service of Ukraine; 88th separate assault battalion, 137th separate battalion of the Marine Corps. Presenters also paid tribute to the memory of the defeated defenders of Ukraine.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has held a meeting with Defense Minister of Lithuania Raimundas Karoblis, Defense Minister of Latvia Raimonds Bergmanis, Estonian Defense Minister Juri Luik and Defense Minister of Montenegro Predrag Boskovic in Kyiv. According to the presidential press service, the sides “discussed a wide range of issues of development of relations in the military-technical sphere and strengthening the defense capabilities of our country in the face of opposing Russian aggression.” Poroshenko expressed gratitude to the defense ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Montenegro for resolute support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. “The participation of your countries alongside with the Ukrainian military units in the military parade on the occasion of the Independence Day is an important demonstration of our unity and solidarity in the face of common challenges,” the head of state said.

ARMING UKRAINE: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is back in Washington after a week-long trip that began in Jordan, included stops in Iraq and Turkey, and wrapped up in Ukraine. There, Mattis issued a sharp rebuke of Russia, and hinted more defensive firepower could soon be provided to the Ukrainian military by the U.S. “We support you in the face of threats to sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Mattis said at a news conference in Kiev. “Despite Russia’s denials, we know they are seeking to redraw international borders by force, undermining the sovereign and free nations of Europe.” Standing next to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Mattis said the two discussed improving Ukraine’s defensive capabilities in the face of aggression by Russian separatists in the east, and dismissed the idea that sending arms to Ukraine might increase tensions. “Defensive weapons are not provocative unless you’re an aggressor, and clearly, Ukraine is not an aggressor, since it’s their own territory where the fighting is happening.” As for whether President Trump will approve lethal aid, “We are actively reviewing it,” Mattis said. “I will go back, now, having seen the current situation, and be able to inform the secretary of state and the president in very specific terms what I recommend for the direction ahead.” Doing so could be yet another source of tension between Washington and Moscow, as Russia makes threats of retaliation over sanctions and expels U.S. diplomatic staff.

Given that the Minsk agreements haven’t resulted in peace in the last three years, the government is looking into all possible ways of resolving the conflict, and engaging the UN peacekeepers in the conflict is one of them. However, such attempts are blocked by Russia, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO Vadym Prystaiko told Radio Svoboda. “One of the options discussed was giving the OSCE mission representatives light weapons, so that they feel more confident, and be able to visit places they need to visit. Another option: presence of the UN peacekeepers in Donbas. We undoubtedly know who blocks this – the same Russia, that backs the militants,” Prystaiko said. Previously president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko is to raise the issue of bringing UN peacekeepers to Donbas at UN General Assembly session.

Unfortunately, the first 24 hours of the “school truce” in the Donbas conflict zone weren’t completely quiet, the Ukrainian Army HQ informs on Facebook. “If during the day the number of attacks was at minimum, closer to night the attacks intensified,” the message says. The situation remains tense in Avdiivka industrial zone. From 5 pm the Russia-backed terrorists were attacking Ukrainian positions with grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms a few hours in a row. Moreover, they fired ten 120-mm mines. Taking into account that the attacks were aggressive and posed threat to the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, the Ukrainian Army opened return fire. Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in these attacks. In Donetsk sector, the militants also attacked near Butovka mine. In Mariupol sector, the bandits tried to provoke the Ukrainian Army to open fire near Talakovka, Hnutove, Pavlopil, Lebedynske, Shyrokyne, and Chermalyk. In Luhansk sector, the militants almost adhered to the cease-fire. The militants used arms only a few times near Malynove.

The first 24 hours of the &quot;school-year truce&quot; in the zone of the Anti-Terrorist Operation in Donbas saw no complete ceasefire as illegal armed groups opened fire 18 times leaving two Ukrainian soldiers wounded, according to the ATO HQ press center. News 26 August from UNIAN.

The system of automatic recognition of faces of people who encroached on the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Identigraf, has been developed by the Myrotvorets (Peacemaker) Center. This was announced by MP Anton Herashchenko, Censor.NET reports. “The system of automatic recognition of faces of people who encroached on the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Identigraf, has been launched! From now on, everyone can click on the link: https://identigraf.center and check the person’s belonging to anti-Ukrainian and anti-state activities by their photos. This is a gift to the Ukrainian people from the volunteers of the Myrotvorets Center on the anniversary of the proclamation of the independence of Ukraine. Let’s make our native land safer and protect it from Russian aggression! Glory to Ukraine!” the MP wrote.

President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman greeted Ukrainians on the Aviation Day. The heads of state and government posted their greetings on Facebook. “Sincerely greet Ukrainian aviators on their professional holiday. Thanks to you, the whole world flies on the Ukrainian wings, and Ukraine carries a title of an aircraft nation,” the president wrote, The president wished the Ukrainian aviators prosperity, happiness, and a clear sky over their heads

European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement&nbsp;Negotiations Johannes&nbsp;Hahn, Head of the Support Group&nbsp;for&nbsp;Ukraine at the European Commission Peter Wagner, Chairman of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the European Council Donald Tusk offer Ukraine EUR 100 million for energy efficiency.

The Ukrainian-Lithuanian draft “Marshal Plan” project for Ukraine has been presented in European institutions and will be studied by the European Commission (EC), Head of the Ukrainian Mission to the EU Mykola Tochytsky has said.

Secretary of Energy Rick Perry will be leading a delegation to Ukraine next week to discuss boosting the energy partnership between both countries. “It is an honor to lead this delegation from the United States to the great country of Ukraine,” said Perry, who leaves Aug. 29. “I look forward to strengthening our relationship with such an important ally and furthering our work to ensure energy stability and security in the region.”Perry will meet with Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko and other Ukrainian officials “to discuss how both countries can continue to boost their economies through a strong energy partnership,” the Energy Department said in a statement. Members of the delegation will include Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and Ray Washburne, president and CEO of Overseas Private Investment Corporation. This week, the Energy Department celebrated the first-ever shipment of coal to Ukraine at a press event at the Port of Baltimore.

The Art Newspaper is the journal of record for the visual arts world, covering international news and events. Based in London and New York, the English-language publication is part of a network of titles founded by Umberto Allemandi with editions in Italian, French, Russian, Chinese and Greek.

Three men attacked the editor of the Naddnistrianska Pravda newspaper in Ovidiopol district of Odesa Oblast, Roman Varshanydze, as the journalist informed himself. “I was attacked by three men, armed with iron bats. Having received the first punch in the head, I started to defend myself, as a result of which one of the attackers dropped the key of his car, and the police could identify the perpetrators very quickly. Thanks to our Ovidiopol police, who worked fast,” Varshanydze said. According to UNIAN, the perpetrators were identified and brought to the police department. A criminal case was started under Part 2 of Article 345-1 (Violence of threat of violence against a journalist) of Ukraine’s Criminal Code.

North Korea fired several short-range missiles into the sea off its east coast early on Saturday, South Korea and the U.S. military said, as the two allies conducted annual joint military drills that the North denounces as preparation for war.

SEOUL — Three North Korea short-range ballistic missiles failed on Saturday, US military officials said, which, if true, would be a temporary setback to Pyongyang’s rapid nuclear and missile expansion.The US Pacific Command said in a statement that two of the North’s missiles failed in flight after an unspecified distance, and another appeared to have blown up immediately. It added that the missile posed no threat …

North Korea’s three short-range missile launches appear to have either failed in flight or exploded almost immediately, the US military said on Friday, adding they had posed no threat to North America or Guam.

The Ukraine claimed it caught two North Korean spies six years ago who were hunting for missiles technology that would help the isolated communist country develop long-range weapons that could hit the United States.

About a month ago a citizen of one of the world’s superpowers tried to steal military secrets of Ukraine, as Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko told journalists on Friday in response to the question if there were attempts to steal Ukrainian military secrets in the years of war. “Yes. I can also tell you, that in one of our detention centers there’s a citizen of a big superpower, it’s not Russia and not the USA, who is suspected of an attempt to steal our military secrets,” Lutsenko said. He noted that it happened about a month ago. As it was reported earlier, the CNN published a video of North Korean spies being arrested in Ukraine for trying to steal missile drawings in 2011. The drawings were fake, and the Ukrainian authorities arrested the spies on the spot. The North Koreans have been convicted for eight years of imprisonment.

Alliance 90/The Greens is asking the head of the Foreign Ministry of the Federal Republic of Germany, Sigmar Gabriel, to explain the dinner with Russian President Vladimir Putin and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who is supposed to join the supervisory board of Rosneft. Gabriel was asked to respond before the September elections to the Bundestag, reports DW. “The Foreign Minister should dispel suspicions that Schröder is trying to use him to promote the interests of Putin and Rosneft. This would be an unheard of affront for the European Union and a serious problem for Germany,” said Katrin Göring-Eckardt, co-chair of the Greens faction in the parliament. She added that Gabriel would have to explain what topics he discussed with Putin during dinner. “This is by no means a private matter when Schröder, being a lobbyist for Gazprom and a candidate for the Supervisory Board of Rosneft, organizes Gabriel’s many-hour meeting with the Russian head of state. Gabriel should reveal what topics he discussed at this meeting,” the politician stressed. The Greens want to find out whether Rosneft’s interests, the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline and easing the EU’s sanctions against Russia were discussed during the dinner, and a corresponding written request has already been sent to the government of Germany. It was previously reported that the Russian government has nominated Schröder to Rosneft’s supervisory board. His candidacy for the post of one of the independent directors of the company should be approved at the end of September. As a Rosneft director, the former Chancellor would earn more than 550,000 dollars a year. Gerhard Schroeder was Chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005. In October of last year he headed the board of directors of Nord Stream-2.

The biggest fear is the surveillance aircraft will start carrying weapons, posing a more direct threat to U.S. vessels transiting one of the world’s most significant strategic and economic international waterways.

CyberBerkut has now been caught red-handed, spreading disinformation about fictitious United States biological or chemical warfare activities in Ukraine. If it wasn’t so sick and depraved, it might actually be funny. God knows we need a good laugh, but even CyberBerkut’s inept attempt to smear the US can’t bring a smile to my face. CyberBerkut,…

(WASHINGTON) — Six public relations firms with ties to former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort or former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn have received subpoenas from special counsel Robert Mueller, ABC News has learned from sources with knowledge of the situation. The subpoenas relate to the probe Mueller is leading that is investigating Russian interference into the 2016 presidential election and potential Russian collusion with Trump campaign associates. Manafort has faced scrutiny over past lobbying work done on behalf of the government of Ukraine, ultimately requiring him to register as a foreign agent in July. That month, the FBI executed a search warrant on Manafort’s Virginia home. Flynn was forced to resign as National Security Advisor in February after misleading Trump administration officials about the nature of his pre-inauguration discussions with then-Russian ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak. This past spring, federal prosecutors began using a grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia to issue subpoenas to collect evidence on Flynn and any potential ties to Russian officials. Mueller’s prosecutors are now using a Washington, D.C. grand jury for matters related to their investigation.